Attendance Policy

Attendance is crucial for academic development. Attendance is highly regarded at Wildwood Environmental Academy. We ask parents to make every effort to ensure that their child is present at school every day if possible. When they are sick, parents can simply call the main office and the child's work will be collected and sent home when they return.

Elementary School (K – 3) is in session from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.Middle School (4 – 6) is in session from 8:50 a.m. until 3:10 p.m.High School (7 – 12) is in session from 8:50 a.m. until 3:10 p.m.

Students are not permitted on either campus before 7:50 a.m. or after 3:45 p.m. without permission from the School Leader. Students arriving prior to class start times are to wait in the cafeteria/designated area. Students will not be allowed in any other area of the building prior to their class start time.

The following policy is based on the Ohio Revised Code, chapter 3321 School Attendance and includes the requirements of House Bill 410.

If a student is absent from school, a parent or guardian must call the School office to notify the school of their child’s absence by 10:00 a.m. and provide a written note upon return. A parent note excuses an absence unless it becomes excessive; then a medical note will be required. Without this notification, Ohio law requires that the school contact parent(s) by phone or letter to inform them of the student’s absence.

The following conditions may excuse a student from school attendance:

Personal illness or injury - a doctor's medical verification note may be required if absent for more than 3 consecutive school days.

Family illness - an emergency situation requiring the student to be absent from school.

Quarantine of the home by local health officials.

Death in the immediate family, limited to two days, unless extenuating circumstances exist and are approved by the School Leader.

Observance of a religious holiday consistent with student's established creed or belief.

Medical, dental, or legal appointments that cannot be made during out-of-school hours will be excused for the duration of the appointment. For example, leaving the doctor's office at 10:00 a.m. will not excuse a student for the entire day.

Other legitimate reasons that receive prior approval from the School Leader - these are generally college visits, job interviews, legal appointments or reasons of emergency.

Ohio law requires that students returning to school after all absences bring a written note from their parent or guardian stating:

The dates of absences

The reason for the absences

The parent or guardian signature and phone number

Failure to provide written note will result in the absence remaining unexcussed

Parent or medical verification notes must be submitted to the school office the day the student returns to school. Absences documented with medical verification notes will be considered excused when provided the day the student returns to school. Attendance reports will be sent home every quarter. The school will make every effort to engage the students and his/her family prior to filing a complaint with a juvenile court. Failure to follow the attendance policy may result in the disciplinary actions included herein. It is the responsibility of the school to report all attendance concerns to the Juvenile Court. A court officer will then follow procedures to ensure the regular attendance of all students.

It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure the attendance of their student(s). Excessive absences are damaging to the child’s learning and will be reported to the Juvenile Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. Wildwood Environmental Academy has contracted the services of a Truancy Officer. The Truancy Officer will assist the school with the requirements of House Bill 410, (HB410). If a student is excessively absent from school, a written notification will be sent to the students parents within 7 days of the triggering absence. The student will follow the schools plan for absence, intervention and the student and family may be referred to community resources. If unexcused absences become habitual, an absence intervention team, including a parent/guardian will meet to develop a plan which may include supportive services for students and families, councilor, parent education, parenting programs and mediation may also be considered. If no progress is made than the juvenile court may be contacted. WEA will follow all of the requirements of HB410.

Skipping classes/school will result in disciplinary action and the involvement of the local law enforcement.

Each student will be permitted 5 unexcused absences per quarter without consequence. On the 6th absence parents will be notified and a detention will be issued/served.

Further absences will result in continued disciplinary action and a parent meeting.

Habitual absences (five or more consecutive school days, seven or more school days in one school month, or twelve or more school days in a school year) will be reported to the Truancy Officer and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s office.

Chronic absences (seven or more consecutive school days, ten or more school days in one school month, or fifteen or more school days in a school year) may result in the student being withdrawn from school.

Skipping classes/school will result in disciplinary action and the involvement of the local law enforcement.

Classroom work missed during excused absences can be made up by asking the classroom teacher for the work. Students in grades higher than 3rd are responsible for requesting the missed assignments. The acceptance of work missed during unexcused absences is at the discretion of the teacher. Students who are habitually absent will be at risk of being retained/expelled.

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